William Eggleston in the Real World

  • 86'
  • USA
  • 2005
The film maker Michael Almereyda, who met the photographer William Eggleston in the early 1990s, spent a long time travelling around with the mysterious master of colour photography. The result is not only an excellent introduction to his oeuvre, but also an intimate portrait of Eggleston when he is not at work. Almereyda's point of departure is the question: How can it be that someone sees the world so differently that taking photographs of apparently everyday and insignificant object results in emotionally charged and significant photos? For instance, we see Eggleston at work for Gus Van Sant, in his birthplace in Kentucky. Here, we get a glimpse of the alchemy that lies at the core of Eggleston's photography. In a derelict house, he clicks away apparently at random, but the resulting photos are all phenomenal. In addition, Almereyda follows the photographer at length in Memphis, his natural environment, where he moves around in the company of affluent Bohemians. Hardly anything seems to have changed since Eggleston recorded his circle of acquaintances with a video camera in the early 1970s (see Stranded in Canton). This results in beautiful scenes reminiscent of Warhol's Chelsea Girls. Simon Fisher Turner composed a beautiful electronic score for the film. (GT)
  • 86'
  • USA
  • 2005
Director
Michael Almereyda
Country of production
USA
Year
2005
Festival Edition
IFFR 2006
Length
86'
Medium
DV cam NTSC
Language
English
Producers
Keep Your Head Productions, High Line, Michael Almereyda, Jesse Dylan, Anthony G. Katagas
Sales
High Line
Screenplay
Michael Almereyda
Cinematography
Michael Almereyda
Editor
Susan Choy, Joshua Falcon, Johannes Weuthen
Sound Design
Anna Rieke
Music
Simon Fisher Turner
Cast
William Eggleston
Director
Michael Almereyda
Country of production
USA
Year
2005
Festival Edition
IFFR 2006
Length
86'
Medium
DV cam NTSC
Language
English
Producers
Keep Your Head Productions, High Line, Michael Almereyda, Jesse Dylan, Anthony G. Katagas
Sales
High Line
Screenplay
Michael Almereyda
Cinematography
Michael Almereyda
Editor
Susan Choy, Joshua Falcon, Johannes Weuthen
Sound Design
Anna Rieke
Music
Simon Fisher Turner
Cast
William Eggleston